This species is generally paler than the other brown towhees. Upperparts are pale gray-brown, with a rufous cap and pale eye ring. The tail is slightly darker, with inconspicuous white tips on the outer tail feathers. The sides are pale gray-brown, fading to whitish on the belly. The throat and upper breast are buffy, with a necklace of thin dark streaks and a dark spot on the central breast. The undertail coverts are cinnamon buff. Juveniles lack the rufous crown and have faint streaks on the underparts.

Length: 21 (cm) Wingspan: 28 (cm)

Voice:

Song is more musical than other towhees. Starts with a call note, followed by a long series of slurred whistles; chew tui tui tui tui tui tui tui.

Habitat:

Uses a wide range of habitats, including desert grasslands, scrub, open forest, rocky slopes.

Behavior:

Like other towhees, spends most of its time on or near the ground in dense cover.

Feeding:

Scratches on the ground for seeds and insects.